Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Fraser Watson

Snowboarder walks away after nasty crash at Winter Olympics - “Somehow he’s survived that”

An American snowboarder defied the fears of team officials - and commentators - after a dramatic tumble in the snowboard halfpipe event at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Foster had begun his second run well in Beijing, executing double part 180 and a cab 10 manoeuvre, but then missed his landing on his next trick and flipped over in midair before somehow regaining his balance.

American team members were seen with their heads in their hands as they waited to see if Foster had been injured, and one Eurosport commentator said "There's a sharp intake of breath from just about everybody in the stands.

"Somehow, he's survived that crash.

Lucas Foster crashed during the snowboard halfpipe competition (Getty Images)

"And it is beyond me how they [snowboarders] how they are able to ride away. They're made of tough stuff."

Foster tumbled from the top of the 7.1 metre side wall to the bottom, and a second commentator added.

"He spins another 360 [on way down]. Hopefully he's ok from that as that was a nasty slam."

Having scored 42.00 first time around, the fall cost Foster dear, amassing just 21.50 this time around and failing to qualify for the final as he ended up in 17th place.

However, there was better news for American fans in the form of the legendary Shaun White, who despite a wasted first run where he also tumbled, held his nerve under pressure to keep his hopes of a fourth gold medal alive with a score of 86.25.

That saw him rise to fourth place, guaranteeing a spot in Friday's final.

If White finishes on the podium this week, 'The Flying Tomatoe' could become the first snowboarder to win four Olympic medals, although as the oldest competitor in the event he will have his work cut out to finish in the top three.

Lucas Foster had been going well before landing awkwardly on the side wall (PA)

Indeed, it was Japan's two-time silver medallist Ayumu Hirano who comfortably led the way, topping the qualifiers with his second run score of 93.25.

Scotty James of Australia was second with a top score of 91.25, and third was 19-year old sensation Ruka Hirano, no relation to the overall leader, who earned an 87 on his second run.

Ireland's Seamus O'Connor was agonisingly short of progressing though, notching 57.00 to finish 15th.

The final qualifier was Italian Louis Philip Vito III, who was 13th having scored 60.25 on his best run.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.